As 2023 comes to a head, The new 102nd Michigan State Legislature has officially gaveled in for a new legislative session. Sierra Club is looking forward to working with the new legislative body to push our legislative and budget priorities.
With the new, environmental majority in Lansing, 2023 looks to be a year full of opportunities to advance and push an agenda that will provide wins for our climate, water, jobs, economy, and families at a time when we need it most. However, it will not be easy as we will continue to go up against big corporate interests. Protecting Michigan’s environment will continue to need all hands on deck to advocate for our top priorities. Below are a few of our priorities.
Climate, Energy, and Transportation
The Sierra Club’s top priority is mitigating climate change by moving our energy system away from polluting sources (oil, gas, coal, nuclear, and hazardous waste) to clean, renewable sources including solar and wind, plus adoption of storage, energy efficiency, and expanding access to public and mass transit as well as expediting the transition to electric vehicles. We will also be advocating for the legislature to utilize and go after all federal dollars to advance clean energy and transportation, resiliency, and a sustainable economy. We know we can’t leave anyone behind in the transition, which is why we will be pushing for legislation to secure a just transition for the workers and communities impacted by the closure of coal plants and fossil fuel facilities, and ensure programs for workforce development for vulnerable communities. Michigan is also home to some of the highest energy rates in the country. We will be focusing on utility accountability and making energy more affordable.
Polluter Pay and Public Health
With skyrocketing costs and an aging housing stock, especially in low income and communities of color, affordable and healthy homes are a top priority for us. We want to see the creation of a single program tasked with funding whole home deep-energy retrofits in low and middle income neighborhoods that will provide weatherization, energy efficiency, and health upgrades that would not only remove toxins from homes, but would bring costs down and increase resiliency. We also know taxpayers should not be on the hook for cleaning up the messes of industry, which is why we will continue to push hard for polluter pay legislation. Furthermore, we need to ensure we are improving and protecting the air quality of our most vulnerable communities by requiring cumulative impact consideration in permitting, especially air permitting, prevent siting of waste incinerators and other heavily polluting industries in environmental justice communities
Water and Public Lands
After passing a historic $4.8 billion supplemental appropriations bill that included transformational investments in our water infrastructure and public lands, we know Michigan can and must go further for our communities. Water rates are not affordable and our water utilities are not required to disclose water shutoff numbers or how their water rates are determined. We know water is a human right, and we will be advocating for a water justice package to ensure water shutoff protections for residents across Michigan, help establish payment plans, and require our utilities to disclose water rates and water shutoff data. Michigan continues to need billions of dollars in investments a year in water infrastructure upgrades, so we must continue to call for continued funding to support green, sustainable storm and drinking water infrastructure to protect our communities and families. Lastly, will will be working with partners to establish a statewide septic code and inspection requirement.Currently, Michigan is the only state without a statewide sanitary code, meaning it is left up to counties or townships to set standards, which has led to septic failure, lack of inspections, and lack of data.
We know the aggregate mining issue isn’t going away. We will continue to oppose any legislation that would weaken protection for natural resources and the environment from all forms of mining, ensure any legislation passed will create an adequate regulatory structure to protect natural resources from aggregate mining impacts, prevent Michigan’s utilities from using our forests to offset their emissions, and strengthen Michigan’s wetland protection laws. We will also continue to oppose the Camp Grayling expansion.
Recycling and Waste Reduction
More than 22 million pounds of plastic pollution end up in the Great Lakes every year. This is an issue that demands action. We need to remove the ban on the banning of plastic bags, push for an expansion of our bottle deposit law, and look at other ways to reduce our plastic dependence and update our waste policies.
Democracy
In order for us to achieve conservation victories, we must have a healthy democracy. Michigan ranks dead last when it comes to transparency and accountability of state government. Sierra Club will advocate and support legislation to limit and/or eliminate the influence of money in politics, increase transparency for lobbying, governments, and campaigns, expand voting rights, and expand FOIA to both the Governor’s office and the state legislature.
We are at the perfect inflection point to build a stronger, more prosperous, and equitable state as we take on the great challenges currently facing Michigan. We look forward to working with our members and all stakeholders in this endeavor of putting Michigan on the path to a more sustainable and prosperous future.